martial art

noun

1. Often martial arts. any of the traditional forms of Asian self-defense or combat that utilize physical skill and coordination without weapons, as karate, aikido, judo, or kung fu, often practiced as sport.

martial art

noun

1. any of various philosophies of self-defence and techniques of single combat, such as judo or karate, originating in the Far East

Other Words From

• martial artist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of martial art¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Although they dress like nuns styled by Jean Paul Gaultier and hold titles like Reverend Mother, they adhere to a regimen of martial arts training and learn how to be living lie detectors.

From Salon

What qualified these masters of digital martial arts to perform such a task?

From Salon

Will Stone, the MP for Swindon North, has practised the martial art for 17 years and is also a black belt in judo.

From BBC

But it’s also their shared love of the UFC, and mixed martial arts in general, hints at some of the common ground they may have during the interview.

From BBC

Against all odds and ethical soundness, Sean is now Jimmy’s greatest success story in part because he moved into his pool house and redirected his rage into full-contact mixed martial arts classes.

From Salon

Related Words

• judo
• karate
• wrestling